Newburgh Board holds hearing on townwide smoking and vaping ban; vote delayed pending designated areas

The Town Board of the Town of Newburgh opened a public hearing Aug. 25 on a proposed local law to amend Chapter 152 ("Smoking") to restrict smoking and vaping of tobacco, cannabis and related products on town-owned property and in town facilities.

Town Attorney Mark C. Taylor presented the draft, saying the change is intended to "protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of the employees and citizens of the Town of Newburgh" and to reduce fire risk and litter from discarded smoking and vaping products. Town Clerk Lisa M. Vance Ayers told the board the hearing notice was posted on the town website and at Town Hall on Aug. 6, 2025, and advertised in the Mid‑Hudson Times on Aug. 14, meeting New York state public hearing requirements.

Reporter Erin Holte asked whether the amendment was prompted by public pushback or state action; Taylor responded that the existing chapter in the code book "is outdated, it was time for an update." The draft would prohibit smoking and vaping on town property except in specific designated outdoor areas; the board said it will identify those permitted outdoor areas before taking a final vote.

The hearing was opened at 7:01 p.m. and closed at 7:05 p.m. The board took no final vote on the local law at the workshop meeting and recorded that the item will return for further consideration after the board determines where any designated outdoor smoking areas will be located.

The next procedural step is for the board to discuss and specify permitted outdoor areas; no adoption, ordinance number, or effective date was recorded at the Aug. 25 meeting.